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By: Hal C Clarke
The tranquility of Columbia University and the City College of New York was shattered Tuesday night as police raided encampments, leading to the arrest of numerous individuals. What made this incident particularly noteworthy was the revelation that many of those apprehended were not even students of these esteemed institutions but seasoned anti-Israel protesters.
The NY Post’s Kevin Sheehan, Joe Marino, David Propper and Ronny Reyes, dove into the backgrounds of the radicals on campus.
As details emerged, it became apparent that the massive police response was necessitated by the escalating chaos on the campuses besieged by protests. Over 280 arrests were made, with Columbia University witnessing rioters breaking into academic buildings and camping out on the South Lawn. City College, located 20 blocks north, also saw its share of unrest, with protesters taken into custody.
Among those detained was Fernando Bobis, a 42-year-old internal medicine doctor from Washington Heights. Bobis, arrested at CUNY, expressed his grievances about the conditions he endured behind bars, highlighting the challenges faced due to his Type 1 diabetes. His account shed light on the ordeal faced by the arrested protesters, who spent hours in holding cells without basic amenities.
Another prominent figure among the non-student detainees was Jesse Pape, a known anti-Israel protester who has previously clashed with law enforcement during similar rallies. Pape’s arrest on assault charges underscored the volatile nature of the protests, with allegations of violence against law enforcement officers.
The presence of individuals like Pape, who have a history of involvement in anti-Israel demonstrations, raised concerns about the underlying motivations behind the protests. Pape’s social media activity, which included posts advocating for Palestinian liberation and using controversial slogans, further fueled speculation about the ideological underpinnings of the protests.
James Carlson, another non-student arrested at Columbia, faced charges related to burglary and his involvement in past protests that disrupted local infrastructure. His arrest was emblematic of the broader trend of individuals with a history of involvement in civil unrest being drawn to the protests at Columbia and City College.
Nora Fayad and Amelia Fuller, both non-students arrested at City College, added to the complexity of the situation. Fayad’s previous participation in protests chanting pro-Hamas slogans and Fuller’s involvement in blocking the Williamsburg Bridge highlighted the diverse backgrounds of those arrested in connection with the protests.
The arrest of Barnard College student Maryam Iqbal, who had previously been arrested during an attempt to clear out encampments at Columbia, underscored the involvement of students from affiliated institutions in the protests. Iqbal’s commitment to the cause of Palestinian liberation, despite facing suspension and eviction from Barnard, reflected the deeply held convictions of many involved in the demonstrations.
Aidan Parisi, a postgraduate student at Columbia, found himself embroiled in controversy after hosting an event that sparked backlash for its perceived support of Hamas. Parisi’s suspension from the Ivy League institution and subsequent involvement in the protests highlighted the tensions surrounding free speech and political activism on college campuses.
As the dust settled on the raids and the arrested individuals awaited legal proceedings, questions lingered about the role of outside agitators in instigating and perpetuating the unrest. Mayor Eric Adams’ assertion that “outside agitators” were responsible for radicalizing young people underscored concerns about external influences shaping the trajectory of the protests.
Amidst the turmoil, voices of dissent from Marxist and racist radicals emerged from within the academic community, with professors and students expressing frustration over the handling of the protests by university administrations.
